Weddings are expensive and detailed events that often ignite financial controversy among family and friends. As with any major life decision, everyone has an opinion, and most will vocally share the opinion without prompting. Many argue that weddings are one-in-a-lifetime celebrations that beg for extravagance while reasonable opponents counter that the wedding is merely the first day in a lifelong marriage. If you find yourself this season as part of a wedding party, you are probably hoping for an inexpensive and practical dress choice, no matter where you fall on this wedding continuum.

Whether you are the bride or the bridesmaid, be honest with yourself about practicality. You are not shopping for a favorite pair of jeans and a t-shirt. There is a limited amount of use you can get from a semi-formal or formal dress, but if you are searching for a bridesmaid dress that you might choose to wear again, consider fabric and cut carefully.

Material Matters

Nothing says bridesmaid louder than shiny satin or taffeta, so consider softer fabrics such as a matte crepe, tulle, organza, or even a light jersey. The White by Vera Wang line at David’s Bridal has 3 new bridesmaid dresses with very different cuts all in a rainbow of matte crepe. These styles would like stunning walking down the aisle or into a formal dinner.

Beyond a Sweetheart Neckline

Choosing the right dress for a group of bridesmaids is the ultimate challenge since women come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and personal image issues. Look for shorter dresses for afternoon events with deep V necklines to draw attention to beautiful legs or a curvy figure. A quick trip to the local tailor can ensure that hemlines accentuate the best features for each bridesmaid. Ruched busts, empire waists, or an asymmetrical element also flatter most body types. For example, this V Neck Chiffon Column Dress draws attention to any woman’s curves and drapes her form gracefully in light chiffon. This full-length dress is an elegant option beyond the wedding day.

In addition to fabric and cut, pragmatic shoppers should consider color. For any dress to make a fashion statement, it must be rich and beautiful. Be careful of trendy or popular colors, and choose what will look best on this group of special women who have come together to honor the bride.